5 Waterfalls in Kagoshima worth your time

A historic 36-meter waterfall in Kirishima visited by Sakamoto Ryoma and located near a shrine dedicated to Wake no Kiyomaro.

What it is

• A natural waterfall located in the Makizono Town area of Kirishima City.
• A historic site visited by Sakamoto Ryoma and his wife Oryo during their travels.
• The location where the court official Wake no Kiyomaro was once exiled.
• A scenic landmark described by Ryoma in a famous letter to his sister.

What to see

• The waterfall cascading down a rocky cliff face in a forested setting.
• A dedicated viewing platform located along Prefectural Road 470.
• Wake Shrine which is situated in the immediate vicinity of the falls.

Getting there

• Take a bus from JR Kokubu Station to the Anrakubashi stop.
• The bus journey from the station takes approximately twenty-three minutes.
• Walk thirty minutes from the Anrakubashi bus stop to reach the site.

Read more about Inukai Falls

A 46-meter high waterfall featuring emerald green water and groundwater flowing from unique columnar jointing rock faces.

What it is

• A waterfall measuring 46 meters high and 60 meters wide on the Ogawa River.
• Part of the Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park since 2018.
• A natural site formed by the erosion of the Shirasu plateau.
• The filming location for the 2018 historical drama Segodon.

What to see

• Emerald green water in the large waterfall basin.
• Groundwater flowing directly out from the columnar jointing rock face.
• A 1.2 kilometer walking path leading through the nature site.
• The downstream Ogawa Power Plant constructed in 1920.
• A cafe and restrooms located at the parking lot area.

Getting there

• No public transportation is available to reach this location.
• Access requires a private vehicle to the designated parking lot.

Read more about Ogawa Falls

A massive waterfall nicknamed the Niagara of the East, featuring dramatic rock formations and nearby historic power plant ruins.

What it is

• A waterfall measuring 12 meters high and 210 meters wide in Kagoshima Prefecture.
• Part of the Sendai River Basin Prefectural Natural Park formed from pyroclastic flow deposits.
• A site ranked 24th in the Heisei Hyakkei list of top landscapes.
• Home to a diversion channel project that won a Good Design Award in 2012.

What to see

• The wide waterfall nicknamed the Niagara of the East.
• Ruins of the former Sogi Power Plant located 1.5 kilometers downstream.
• The new Sogi Bridge which opened downstream in November 2011.
• A modern diversion channel built to prevent flooding in the area.

When to go

• Late November for the annual Momiji Festival.

Read more about Sogi Falls

One of Japan's top 100 waterfalls featuring an 88-meter drop over ancient rock on the scenic Yakushima Island.

What it is

• A massive waterfall on Yakushima Island with a vertical drop of 88 meters.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls flowing over a hornfels rock bed.
• Site of the Oko Spring, designated as one of Japan's 100 Remarkable Waters.
• A natural landmark first scaled by a team of three climbers in January 1975.

What to see

• The 88-meter high cascade falling against a dark hornfels rock face.
• The Oko Spring located in the immediate vicinity of the waterfall.
• Views of the falls situated near Kagoshima Prefectural Road 78.

Getting there

• Take a bus to the Oko-no-taki terminal bus stop.
• Walk three minutes from the bus stop to reach the waterfall site.

Read more about Ōko Falls

A dramatic sixty-meter waterfall cascading past a massive granite monolith on the eastern side of Mount Mocchomu.

What it is

• A waterfall on the Taino River with a vertical drop of sixty meters.
• The name refers to the scale of one thousand people holding hands.
• The falls are situated on the eastern side of Mount Mocchomu.

What to see

• A massive granite monolith measuring two hundred fifty by three hundred meters.
• An observation deck located on the southern high ground overlooking the falls.
• Views of the Taino River flowing over the rock face.

Getting there

• The site is accessible by car on Yakushima Island.
• A forty-minute walk from the Tainoko bus stop leads to the falls.
• Take the Tanegashima Yakushima Kotsu bus running toward Kuryu.

Read more about Senpiro Falls